Trump Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
